There are various tours you can do when you are in the US. You may have grown accustomed to the timeless drive-by types of tours or the hop-on and hop-off offers of many travel agencies and online tour operators. However, there are other tours out there that will make your hair rise, and let electricity run through your spine, and these are the Halloween tours! Are you brave enough to take some of these tours? Check them out!

Visit the Alcatraz Penitentiary Prison

photo credit: imgarcade.com

The Alcatraz is an island off the San Francisco Bay which housed the notorious criminals of the early 30s to the 1960s. Some operators offer a different kind of night tour for the daring. You catch the ferry off Fisherman’s Wharf late in the afternoon and join the Alcatraz by Night tour which is less crowded the the ones operated during the day. You will be going through areas that are usually not toured during the day.

Check out the Golden Stage Inn at Ludlow, Vermont

The Golden Stage Inn was once used as a stagecoach stop but was later converted into an Inn. However, owners would see a ghost in the attic who seem to be attached to the place. Previous owners of the Inn would experience uncanny things like some electrical appliances would go on and off.

Take a tour down Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana

The famous Myrtles Plantation was build during the 1700s by General David Bradford and is one of the most well-known haunted places in the US. It is rumored that the house is built over an Indian burial ground. Many stories float around this area and one in particular is that of a slave named Chloe whose ear was cut-off by her master for eavesdropping. To revenge her fate, she poisoned the birthday cake that was served to the children of her master and 2 of the kids died. And because of that, she was hung by her fellow slaves. People say she still wanders the place wearing a turban to conceal her severed ear.

Visit the Gettysburg Battlefield, Pennsylvania

photo credit: scopify.org

If you know the US history then you should also know that the Gettysburg Battle was one of the bloodiest in American history with thousands of young men died over the course of three-days’ conflict. Since many of they brave, young men never received their proper burial, it is said that these soldiers still roam the field, looking for their weapons.

Try the Salem Witch Walk in Massachusetts

Salem has been known as the place of witches, and perhaps it is as there are plenty of stories around witchcraft in the area. Visit enchanted sites and old cemeteries in Salem, and even join modern day rituals, and check out shops for some curious and oddities.

If you don’t know what to be on Halloween, you might as well decide on where to go instead – namely, to the land of the Amish in Lancaster. If you happen to be in or around the area during the Halloween weekend, you’ll have a ton of options of haunted sites and creepy places to visit.

Some of these places have also been featured on ghost hunter TV, and it should be easy enough to scare yourself senseless while you’re there.

It’s what the season is all about, after all. Here is a handful of the top places to visit when you’re in Lancaster – and particularly if you’re there in October.

Sign up for a ghost tour

We tend to associate old towns and historical places with a sense of creepiness, right? Ghost stories just sound so much better when they’re told during a stormy night in an old house which walls shriek and whisper at regular intervals; Lancaster is one of those houses, just a lot bigger – and not really a house at all.

There are so many ghostly sites to feast your imagination on that you might as well sign yourself up for a ghost tour – just remember to bring someone along you can cling to when it gets too scary.

This ghost tour site lures you with promises of exploring long-forgotten mysteries and over 300 years of haunted history, so it should be well worth the dollars you put into it.

Have a beer at Bube’s Brewery

This haunted pub is located within a building that dates back to the 1800’s, which you may visit for a beer and a chat with the staff. They have reported seeing a young woman quite regularly who wanders through the art gallery in a long gown, as well as a young man who pops up at intervals with a strong masculine energy.

You may even have seen the microbrewery on TV as it gained a lot of attention from the media; get there early this Halloween and secure one of their ghost tours. The building is over 150 years old so it should be able to give you the chills even if you don’t spot anything unusual.

Watch a play at Fulton Opera House

The fascinating thing about this opera house is that sights of restless spirits were reported even before the theatre was built – and the first reports go all the way back to 1700. It was built partly on the grounds of a jail, the old Lancaster jail, and it all links up with the massacre of the Conestoga Indians.

With so many great places to choose from, it’s a good idea to hunt down best hotels near Lancaster, PA, as soon as possible as it may be booked out during the creepy weekend. That way, you’ll have time to witness the opera house for yourself; audience and performers alike have reported hearing phantom applause when nobody is supposed to be in the building.

Others even claim to have heard the piano playing by itself. It’s the kind of ghost stories we always see in the movies, so get yourself over there and witness it for yourself this Halloween.

Have you booked your first hunting trip to an exciting location but have no idea how to start planning for it? If so, then you have come to the right place. Today, we are going to learn some helpful tips that will get you started in the right direction. A hunting trip can be an enjoyable experience, but only if you make the proper preparations first.

Practice Makes Perfect

Before you set off on your hunting trip, you will need to practice not only your shooting skills but also your hunting technics. To do this, you should set up some targets shaped like the game you are going to be hunting. You can buy these targets at most outfitter stores or shooting ranges. Practice your shooting skills daily for at least a few weeks before the big hunt. This will allow you to be accurate and make a clean kill. Additionally, you will need to practice your stalking kills which will come in useful while out in the field or in the bush.

Get in a Work Out

Once you have practiced your shooting and hunting skills, you will need to get in shape for the big trip. Make sure that you hit the gym for at least a month before heading out. This will get you in shape and ready for the strenuous conditions that often come with big game hunting. The terrain you will face might be demanding and you will need to be able to keep up with your guide. You wouldn’t want to hold up the hunting party because you’ve been sitting on the sofa for the last month. Also, you may need to see your doctor and get a physical before you go. Remember to get enough medications to last you for your entire trip and tell your doctor what type of physical activity you are planning on doing.

Secure Travelers Insurance

If you are going abroad for your hunt, you will need to get some travel insurance to protect you. For instance, you may have to cancel your trip due to a family emergency. Having traveler’s insurance will mean that you will be reimbursed for the cost of your trip. Not having it may mean that you will lose not only the trip but the money you paid for your airline tickets and your guide fee. Traveler’s insurance will also cover things like lost or stolen items as well as some medical bills that might occur doing your time away from home. This will all depend on the policy you sign up for.

As you can see, getting prepared for a major hunt is a big deal. But if you are prepared for your trip things, will go much smoother. Remember that you will need to practice a lot before you get on the plane and you will also need to work out so that you are in perfect shape. Make sure that you get some travelers insurance so that your investment will be protected and you will get your money back if something does go wrong.

For a lot of people, traveling is about discovering something new about the planet they live on, coming across a new town, a new culture, a new language. But what a lot of people don’t realize is that traveling is also a journey of self-discovery. Not only does it give you the best opportunity to leave your worries and fast-paced life behind for the duration of a holiday break, but it also takes you through a journey where you can find your true self and learn more about who you really are or want to be.

Traveling gives you a change of scenery and lifestyle. But what you don’t realize is that the transformation is much deeper than that. When you travel you make new experiences that stay with you forever. Whether it’s discovering the wonders of a new place, or learning new skills on the road — you’ll be amazed to know how many people have developed life-changing skills such as a sense of orientation, budgeting, or self-confidence during their travel adventures —, you always bring back more with you than you put in your bag when you left.

Traveling also gives you more time to think about your life and to relax away from the everyday stress. As a result, it’s not uncommon to use your travel experience as a way to recenter yourself around your primary life element. For those who enjoy the peacefulness of the water element, they know that they can find here a new approach to release their tensions. If you’re an air type, you’ll naturally choose holidays in mountainous regions where you can enjoy fresh air and breath-taking sceneries. Whatever your type, travel helps you to find your balance.

You may find your soulmate

As surprising as it might sound, you can find the love of your life during your next trip. Some travelers even report that they’ve been struck by a love at first sight moment when they least expected it, while they were visiting a foreign country. Needless to say that it’s changed their life. What if you don’t find your future love? Valerie Lewis reckons that traveling gives you the opportunity to meet several soulmates. She says that even though there can’t be a powerful love story due to the distance and the back to reality moment at the end of your holiday, the sweet taste of happiness you get is worth the journey. And who knows? You may get luckier next time!

For Ernest Hemingway, his inspiration came from the time he spent in France and Spain. Mark Twain echoed the thought by considering that travel enhances the mind and destroys narrow-mindedness and prejudice. In a word, traveling inspire you to find new and better ideas and also to become a better person. The discovery of new experiences — sounds, tastes; sights — creates new connections in your brain and sparkles new ways of thinking. The more you travel, the more creative your brain becomes.

If you feel lost and don’t know the way, all you need is to book a trip to anywhere to embark on a journey to self-discovery and self-growth. Become a traveler, make yourself a better person.

Cornhole is an “All-American” game that is loved by many. Although funnily enough, its origins remain unclear. While most people truly think that the game of cornhole originated in America by a farmer in Kentucky back in the early 1900s, others insist that it dates all the way back to 14th century Gemany. Either way, the game remains stunningly popular throughout America. This is why lovers of the game are always looking to customize their personal cornhole board. Luckily, this is very easy to do. In fact, there are even many ways to do this.

If the board is widely used by children, it may be fun to allow them to paint it. Not only does this make a great art project for the young ones to engage in, but it also brings the family closer together. Practically any design may be painted on the board, and for those with true artistic skill, cartoon characters or other such “fun” things may be painted on the cornhole board as well.

If a nice but plainer look is desired, the board can simply be lacquered. This still gives the cornhole board a sophisticated “smooth and shiny” look but also helps to protect the wood from the elements. Remember, always apply the lacquer either outside or at the very least, in a well-ventilated area. This is because breathing in fumes from the lacquer can be very dangerous, up to and including death. They can also be explosive in a poorly ventilated area.

(Photo credit: customcorntoss.com)

Another very easy way to instantly transform the cornhole board into any football lover’s dream is to adorn it with nfl cornhole decals. Decals of all variety are very easy to apply and incur no mess to deal with afterwards. Only the backing paper must thrown away in a responsible fashion.

No matter how you design it, have fun personalizing the cornhole board of your choice. Not only will it show off your personality, but it will bring all sorts of amusement when friends and family gather to play the great American game of cornhole.

The month long affair will have awesome activities great deals, discounts, offers, and prizes throughout many of the city’s shopping spots.

It’s all delight, joy and smiles as Azerbaijan gets ready to welcome a splendid festival full of fireworks, plethora of deals to purchase and discounts to bag!

If you have been to Baku, you acknowledge that it’s a city with a thrill. Apart from the stunning nature, and the mind-boggling mixture of modernity and old age beauty, the discounts, the bargains and the offers just heightens the charm of Baku to a whole new level.

This is Baku’s second first shopping Festival. Shoppers and families will enjoy a jam-packed set of events, at this Edition that’s set to kick off on October 15th. The month long affair will have awesome activities great deals, discounts, offers, and prizes throughout many of the city’s shopping spots.

The Azerbaijan Convention Bureau under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the promoters of the Baku shopping Festival 2017 revealed their plans to make the world take notice by including fashion shows, unique product launches, live entertainment, street parties, concerts, and ruffle draws.

Rashid AL Noori, the Chairman of the Representative Office of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan in GCC, said “The 2nd edition of the Baku Shopping Festival is one of the most important on Azerbaijan’s annual events calendar that will significantly enhance Azerbaijan’s stand as a favorite year-round tourism destination offering unique shopping experiences. Baku Shopping Festival is part of our endeavors to leverage large-scale events to reach a bigger goal – that of making Azerbaijan a regional leader in the tourism industry. Baku Shopping Festival 2017 will be strong, in terms of interesting offers for shopping, chances of securing major prizes, and sensational entertainment experiences. We are expecting lots of shoppers and families to visit Azerbaijan for the Baku Shopping Festival, a festival set to exceed expectations. Working with our partners and collaborators, the Representative Office team has brought in place discounted offers to facilitate whole families and individuals travel to Azerbaijan for this extravaganza, with regular favorites and plenty of new events for everyone to enjoy.”

It is worth to point out, the Festival includes a VAT refund program for foreigners and local citizens, for purchases at the official Festival merchant stores. Major hypermarkets and shopping plazas and malls, including premium outlets, traditional gift stores, leading hotels and restaurants will take part in the festival, providing exceptional value offers and discounts.

“The Baku Shopping Festival is already an international brand and will shortly shift into a household affair. We welcome all those who want enjoy an excellent autumn holiday while taking advantage of great value in Baku to visit Azerbaijan.” Concluded AL Noori

About Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is one of the most beautiful countries located at the joint of Europe and Asia. The country sometimes referred to as the land of magic colors has proven to be a successful host of many international and regional events and competitions, including 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2015, Chess World Cup 2015 and Inaugural European Games in Baku. In 2016, this beautiful country hosted F1 European Grand Prix, World Chess Olympiad, UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals and UEFA European Football Championship. With the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, Baku Grand Prix and the 2nd Baku Shopping Festival coming up; Azerbaijan is coming up first as the hottest destination to visit. A truly a unique country that welcomes all.

The last time we were in Las Vegas was 2009. My family and my hubby’s cousin and family stayed in Excalibur Hotel which is situated near the famous MGM Hotel. And after 8 years, here we are again and this time with my dear Auntie.

My husband arranged for this short trip and he booked us in Tuscany Suites and Casino near The Strip. It is reminiscent from those beautiful villas in some Italian village with fine stucco finish. The Tuscany Suites and Casino is exactly that, a beautiful big villa with clusters of other sleeping quarters in a compound.

What I like:

The room we have booked is a Junior Suite. The room was very spacious with two full double beds. It is huge!

The big room has a sofa or seating quarters, and a kitchenette with a decent dining table and chairs.

(I took this photo standing from the edge of the bed and the room is really huge!)

The sofa doubled as a sleeping bed for my husband.

The welcome note on the TV screen. Not all hotels we have booked in the past, even the most new and modern had welcome notes as you enter.

The beds are super comfortable. I slept like a baby!

Our room has a nice view. I can see the winding alley that leads to other sleeping quarters, the main hotel building, and the pool area.

It is a quite hotel.

There are ice vending machines in our floor.

There is an in-house casino.

There is a restaurant, a coffee shop and even a souvenir shop inside the hotel.

There are ample parking spaces for visitors and they are free.

The location is great and there are plenty of souvenir shops nearby. The Strip is also walking distance from the hotel if you feel like walking.

Free wifi, and fast connection too.

It is very near McCarran Airport.

The food in the Tuscany Gardens restaurant is really good!

The bathroom is clean. The bathroom is very spacious, and the toilet is enclosed.

The lobby area and the beautiful passage between sleeping blocks.

What I don’t like:

The main hotel and different from the Casino entrance although they are connected. You have to park near the main entrance of the hotel so you don’t have to walk much towards the concierge, especially if you have luggages. We didn’t realize there were 2 main entrances so we parked in the entrance which was the Casino entrance. We had to carry our luggages back to the car and drive of to the other parking area nearest to the main hotel’s lobby.

There are several building blocks for sleeping quarters. You have to walk outside to reach the main hotel. It’s not a long walk though and passing by the nice alley behind several sleeping quarters is really not that cumbersome. I just thought it would be nice to just have all the sleeping quarters in one area. But hey, this is just my opinion. The whole compound where the Tuscany Suites and Casino is really a quiet and relaxing one.

And before I forget, it didn’t appeal to me that they don’t have any microwave so we could heat our food.

I would have given this beautiful, clean, and homey hotel if it wasn’t for the main hotel’s entrance confusion, I would be happy to give this hotel my five star rating.

I highly recommend this property if you are heading to Las Vegas and you want a quiet place to relax, and still have a good time when you want to. The location is perfect for us. You can walk or take a drive to the Strip if you like because it is just around the corner from this hotel.

The Tuscany Suites and Casino is located at 255 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169, United States of America.

If you’re looking for hotels in Las Vegas or in other parts of Nevada, you may find more hotels and fabulous deals too from:Booking.com